'Stop spread of Germans' image clearly manipulated, Abu Dhabi officials say

Public hospital group Seha said social media pranksters had no one fooled

Seha shared the manipulated image on Twitter, saying it had nothing to do with the stunt. Twitter

A sign outside a vaccine tent that urged people to "stop the spread of germans" was quite clearly manipulated, and not very convincingly at that, Abu Dhabi health officials said.

Seha, the capital's public hospital operator, stepped in as the image was circulated on Twitter on Tuesday.

The image was changed from "stop the spread of germs", which the public are urged to do by wearing masks and taking precautions inside testing and vaccine centres.

“The following image that has been circulating around social media is photoshopped,” Seha said in a tweet, referring to the photo software.

“Although we appreciate a good joke, Seha would like to clarify that it is in no way associated with this image, its message, or its distribution.

“We love Germans just as much as we love all people.”

Even the German ambassador to the UAE got in on the joke.

"We had a good laugh about this," said Peter Fischer. "But since we appreciate Seha so much - especially for keeping us safe during Covid-19 - we knew this must be a joke," he said.

Seha runs 24 drive-through testing centres nationwide.

There are dozens of drive-through centres across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and several in the Northern Emirates.

The test is free for those showing coronavirus symptoms, Emiratis, residents over 50, people suffering from chronic diseases, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.

To everyone else, it costs Dh85.

The group also operates a network of vaccination centres, which can each inoculate thousands of people a day against the virus that causes Covid-19.

Abu Dhabi's vaccine drive - in pictures

Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January

Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.

A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.

Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.

Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.

People in the waiting room.

An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.

A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.

Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.

The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.

(L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.